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Social Starts is an early-stage venture capital firm founded between 2010 and 2012, based in San Francisco, California. The firm operates under the umbrella of Joyance Partners, which serves as its primary active investing vehicle. Social Starts focuses on identifying strong companies across various segments, particularly in health and well-being. The firm has a diverse portfolio of over 334 companies and has achieved notable exits, including Pinterest, Zocdoc, and Epic.
As of 2024, Social Starts manages over $60 million in assets across multiple funds, with a strong emphasis on data-driven investment strategies. The firm has evolved into a multi-fund family, with Joyance Partners being the sixth fund under the Social Starts brand. This evolution reflects a commitment to enhancing quality of life through investments in innovative startups.
Social Starts primarily invests in early-stage companies across several sectors, including e-commerce, healthcare, consumer products, employment platforms, digital brands, next-generation food, and education. Their current fund, Social Starts Health and Happiness, specifically targets startups that aim to improve health and well-being. This fund aligns with the firm’s mission to cultivate joy and enhance quality of life through data-driven investment strategies.
The firm typically invests at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, focusing on companies that demonstrate potential for significant impact in their respective markets. Social Starts employs a data-driven methodology to identify promising opportunities, often leading or co-leading seed rounds. They look for founders who are passionate about their missions and possess a clear vision for their companies.
Social Starts has invested in over 334 companies, showcasing a diverse portfolio that includes notable exits and recent highlights. Key exits include:
Recent portfolio highlights include:
Mike Edelhart – Managing Partner. Mike has a background in media and technology, having served as CEO of Olive Software and Inman News. He was also a partner at Redleaf VC and has extensive experience in early-stage investments.
William Lohse – Co-founder of Joyance Partners, which is the sixth fund under the Social Starts umbrella. William has a strong focus on health and well-being initiatives, contributing to the firm’s investment strategy.
To pitch Social Starts, founders should visit their website at socialstarts.com. It is recommended to include a detailed business plan, market analysis, and a clear explanation of how the startup aligns with their focus on health and well-being. Founders should expect a response within a few weeks, and warm introductions are preferred but not mandatory.
As of May 2024, Social Starts has continued to expand its portfolio, investing in over 334 companies. Recent notable investments include Oishii, which raised $134 million in Series B funding, and InformAI, which secured a $2.2 million NIH Fast-Track grant. The firm has also been involved in leading seed rounds for Monti Kids, which raised $3.5 million.
Social Starts maintains a strong exit track record, with notable exits including Pinterest, Zocdoc, and Epic. The firm’s focus on health and well-being continues to drive its investment strategy, aligning with current trends in the venture capital landscape.
What are Social Starts' investment criteria?
Social Starts invests in early-stage companies primarily in the sectors of e-commerce, healthcare, consumer products, employment platforms, digital brands, next-generation food, and education. They focus on startups that enhance health and well-being, aligning with their mission to cultivate joy.
How can I pitch to Social Starts?
Founders can pitch their startups through the Social Starts website at socialstarts.com. It is advisable to include a clear business model, market analysis, and how the startup aligns with their focus on health and well-being.
What makes Social Starts different from other VCs?
Social Starts employs a data-driven methodology to identify investment opportunities, which allows them to make informed decisions based on analytics. Their focus on health and well-being sets them apart from many other early-stage investors.
What is the typical check size for investments?
Social Starts typically invests at the pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages, with check sizes varying based on the specific needs of the startup and the stage of investment.
What is the geographic focus of Social Starts?
The firm primarily invests in companies based in North America, particularly those that align with their health and well-being initiatives.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Social Starts provides not only capital but also strategic guidance to help startups grow and succeed in their respective markets. Their data-driven approach allows them to offer valuable insights to their portfolio companies.
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